My Tooth Hurts When I Chew — Learn What’s Wrong and How We Can Help

A number of issues inside or around a tooth can cause pain when biting, chewing, or applying pressure — and not all of them are serious.

You might have tooth decay (cavities), which can sometimes be invisible to the naked eye. You may also have cracks or fractures in the tooth, which are often microscopic but still painful. In other cases, the problem isn’t the hard tooth structure at all — it could be inflammation in the tooth’s nerve (pulp) or irritation in the ligaments surrounding the tooth.

Fortunately, most of these causes can be treated conservatively. Often, once the irritation is removed or the bite is adjusted, the pain resolves naturally without invasive treatment. Only infrequently, if the nerve itself is permanently damaged, would a root canal treatment become necessary.

As a rule of thumb, the earlier you have the source of your pain diagnosed, the more conservative the treatment options are. Left unchecked, some conditions may progress and become more complex or painful over time.

Don’t wait on a painful tooth. Have an endodontist examine you.

At EOI NYC, our endodontic specialists are ready to help — often without delay. We see emergency patients the same day, and non-emergency patients typically within 2–3 days. No matter what the cause of your pain is, we are uniquely positioned to offer a wide spectrum of treatment modalities to relieve your discomfort — not just root canals.

Whether your solution is conservative care, bite adjustment, medication, or root canal therapy, our goal is always the same: accurately diagnose and resolve your pain with the most appropriate and conservative treatment possible.

Dull, aching, or sharp tooth pain when biting, chewing, or even lightly touching the tooth can signal a variety of underlying issues — and not all are visible to the naked eye.

The cause of your pain depends not only on what you feel, but where in the tooth the problem originates. For example:

• Enamel or dentin issues (such as cavities or minor wear) are often easily repaired.
• Deeper problems, such as nerve (pulp) inflammation or ligament irritation around the tooth’s root, can result in more persistent or severe pain — but even these sometimes have simple fixes.

It’s important to understand that the intensity of pain is not always proportional to the seriousness of the issue. Mild pain may indicate a serious hidden problem, while sharp or severe pain may result from something minor and reversible.

To diagnose correctly, advanced tools like microscopy, dental scans, and x-rays are often needed — technologies that expert endodontists use routinely.

As a rule of thumb:

• If pain is brief, rare, and does not return → it may not be urgent.
• If pain lasts more than half a day or comes back repeatedly → it should be thoroughly examined by a specialist.

At EOI NYC, our endodontists specialize in performing this level of precise, expert evaluation. Our goal is always to offer the most conservative, appropriate treatment possible — whether that means no intervention, a simple restoration, or, when necessary, root canal therapy.

If your tooth pain is lingering or keeps coming back, don’t guess — let our specialists help you find the real cause and the right solution.

Cold, sweet, and hard foods can trigger tooth pain in different ways — and each offers a clue about what may be wrong.

Pain from cold and sweet foods often points toward irritation or inflammation inside the tooth’s nerve (the pulp). When the protective outer layers are weakened by enamel erosion, gum recession, or cavities, stimuli like cold drinks or sugary treats can reach the pulp and trigger discomfort.

Pain when biting down on hard foods, however, may be linked to the ligaments surrounding the tooth’s root. These sensitive fibers can become inflamed due to injury, grinding, or bite misalignment, making chewing painful.

Regardless of the source, pain or sensitivity when eating is never normal. These symptoms often indicate underlying issues that can and should be treated — often simply and conservatively when diagnosed early.

That’s why seeing an experienced endodontist is essential. At EOI NYC, our specialists are trained to diagnose the exact source of tooth sensitivity and pain — and to recommend the most appropriate treatment to resolve it.

Before your visit, it can help to take note of your symptoms:

• When does the pain occur?
• What types of food trigger it consistently?
• Is it isolated to one tooth or more generalized?

This information helps our team make a precise diagnosis and offer you the right solution — whether that’s a minor repair, protective treatment, or in rare cases, more advanced care.

If eating and drinking have become uncomfortable, don’t ignore it. Our team at EOI NYC can help you enjoy your meals again — without pain.

Tooth pain triggered by chewing, biting down, or tapping is often a sign that your tooth or its supporting structures are under stress — and something needs attention.

This type of pain may indicate:

• A crack or fracture in the tooth, which may not be visible but flexes slightly under pressure, irritating the nerve.
• A high or uneven filling or crown, which disrupts the bite and causes extra force on the tooth.
• Inflammation in the periodontal ligament, often caused by grinding (bruxism), trauma, or infection.

In some cases, pain can result from pulpitis — irritation or inflammation inside the tooth’s nerve tissue — or from an underlying abscess pressing on surrounding structures.

This type of pain should not be ignored. Early intervention can often resolve the issue with conservative treatment, while waiting may allow the problem to worsen and require more extensive care.

At EOI NYC, our endodontists are experts in diagnosing the subtle causes of pain when chewing or tapping. Using advanced imaging and careful bite assessment, we can identify whether your pain stems from a cracked tooth, bite imbalance, or nerve involvement — and offer the right solution.

If you feel discomfort when chewing, biting, or tapping, schedule an evaluation. Knowing what’s wrong is the first step to fixing it — and preserving your tooth.

Some level of sensitivity or discomfort after dental work can be normal — but persistent or worsening pain is not.

After procedures like fillings, crowns, or root canals, it’s common to experience mild soreness or sensitivity for a short period. This can result from:

• Inflammation from the dental procedure itself, as tissues settle and heal.
• Minor bite adjustments needed, especially after new restorations are placed.
• Residual nerve sensitivity, particularly in teeth that underwent deep procedures.

However, pain from any kind of dental intervention should not last more than two to three days. During this time, discomfort should be easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers taken at recommended dosages.

If, however, your pain is not improving, is not responding to medication, or is lasting more than two or three days, you should contact your treating dentist right away.

If your dentist is unavailable, an endodontist is the most appropriate specialist to examine and diagnose the problem.

In cases of normal post-operative healing, pain typically improves significantly every 24 hours. It is almost never normal for pain to remain the same day after day without signs of improvement.

At EOI NYC, our endodontists are specially trained to assess post-treatment tooth pain. We determine whether it’s part of expected healing, a minor issue needing adjustment, or a more complex situation requiring retreatment.

If your tooth pain after a dental procedure is lasting or worsening, don’t wait — schedule a specialist evaluation. Early diagnosis often prevents more complex problems.

While most post-treatment tooth pain resolves within days, pain lasting weeks is not typical — and may signal that something deeper needs attention.

In some cases, prolonged discomfort can result from:

• A restoration or crown that is slightly too high, causing bite imbalance and continued irritation.
• Persistent inflammation in the ligament around the tooth, which may take time to heal, especially if the tooth was already inflamed before treatment.
• An undetected problem, which could require further investigation to identify and address.

In the majority of cases, healing means consistent improvement within the first few days. Occasional minor setbacks may occur — for example, if the tooth is stressed by premature chewing or other function — but these are uncommon. By 3–5 days post-treatment, most patients are back to normal, and during this period, pain should be easily managed with over-the-counter analgesics taken as directed.

Pain that stays the same, worsens, or becomes more frequent after two to three days requires evaluation.

At EOI NYC, our endodontic specialists frequently see patients with lingering post-treatment tooth pain. Our expertise allows us to identify subtle or hidden causes that may have been missed — and offer precise, targeted solutions that relieve your pain and preserve your tooth.

If weeks have passed since your dental treatment and you are still in pain, schedule a consultation. Continued pain is not something to ignore.

Severe, persistent tooth pain — especially when it does not respond to over-the-counter medication — is a sign that your tooth may have a serious underlying issue that requires immediate attention.

When tooth pain reaches this level, it typically indicates one of the following:

• Advanced pulp inflammation or infection, where the nerve inside the tooth is irreversibly damaged.
• Pressure from an abscess or swelling, which can cause constant, throbbing pain that does not ease with medication.
• Acute ligament inflammation, caused by trauma, bite imbalance, or infection spreading from the tooth.

Pain this severe is not normal and should never be ignored. Waiting can allow infection or inflammation to spread, potentially leading to more complex dental and even medical complications.

At EOI NYC, our endodontists prioritize patients in acute pain. We offer same-day appointments for emergency cases, and can quickly diagnose the source of your pain using advanced imaging and specialist evaluation.

Depending on the cause, treatment options may include relieving pressure, reducing inflammation, and if necessary, performing a root canal procedure to remove infected tissue and eliminate the source of pain.

If your tooth pain is severe and unrelenting, contact us immediately. Relief often begins with the right diagnosis — and we are here to help.

A loose and painful tooth is a serious warning sign and should never be ignored.

In healthy conditions, teeth are held firmly in place by the periodontal ligament and surrounding bone. When a tooth becomes loose and painful, it often indicates:

• Advanced gum disease (periodontitis), which causes bone loss and weakens tooth support.
• Trauma or injury, which can stretch or damage the ligament, leading to mobility and discomfort.
• Acute infection or abscess, which can create pressure and push the tooth slightly out of its natural position.
• Occlusal trauma, where excessive or uneven bite forces strain the ligament and cause mobility and pain.

If there is an infection present and the source of infection is in the tooth, root canal therapy may be needed to resolve the problem and preserve the tooth.

Regardless of the cause, a loose and painful tooth requires immediate evaluation. Without prompt care, the situation can worsen, potentially leading to permanent tooth loss.

In many cases, conservative treatments — including bite adjustments, splinting, and infection control — can stabilize the tooth and relieve discomfort. Early intervention dramatically improves the chances of saving the tooth.

At EOI NYC, our endodontists carefully examine both the tooth and the surrounding tissues to pinpoint the exact reason for looseness and pain.

If your tooth feels loose and hurts, schedule a same-day or next-available consultation. The sooner we see you, the more options we’ll have to save your tooth.

Tooth pain after dental work or extraction should steadily improve in a meaningful and significant way day after day — not stay the same or worsen.

In most cases, post-treatment discomfort resolves within a few days. For example:

• After routine dental procedures, mild to moderate discomfort should improve daily and typically resolve within two to three days.
• After extractions or more involved treatments, soreness may linger slightly longer, but should significantly improve by day 3–5.

During this healing window, pain should be very manageable with over-the-counter medications taken at standard dosages. If pain does not improve, stays the same, or worsens — this is a signal that something is not progressing normally.

It’s also important to remember that teeth should not continue to hurt indefinitely. A tooth that keeps hurting week after week is unlikely to improve on its own and should be examined.

If your tooth pain has not improved within a few days after treatment — or if it persists or worsens beyond expectations — schedule an evaluation with your treating dentist. If additional expertise is needed, an endodontist is an excellent source for a second opinion and advanced diagnosis.

At EOI NYC, we strive to see patients in pain the same day whenever possible. Prompt diagnosis ensures the fastest path back to comfort and health.

Tooth pain without an obvious visible problem — or in a tooth that looks grey or black — can be confusing, but it often points to issues deep inside the tooth.

When teeth change color (grey or black), this may be a sign of:

• Pulp necrosis (nerve death), often caused by trauma or untreated decay, which leads to internal discoloration and can trigger pain or pressure sensitivity.
• Internal resorption or breakdown of tooth structure, which may not be obvious externally but affects the inner layers.
• Microcracks or fractures that are too small to be seen but irritate the pulp or periodontal ligament.

Additionally, sometimes teeth can be painful even when they look normal to the eye:

• Early or hidden infections not visible on x-rays.
• Referred pain from adjacent teeth or nearby anatomical structures.
• Periodontal issues or bite problems, where the supporting tissues are inflamed or overloaded.

Pain or discoloration without clear cause should never be dismissed. These cases often require advanced diagnostics, including microscopic examination, imaging, and thorough testing to determine the source.

At EOI NYC, our endodontic specialists are highly experienced in evaluating these “mystery pain” scenarios. Our goal is to identify the true underlying problem and offer the most appropriate and conservative treatment path.

If your tooth hurts or looks grey or black — even if nothing obvious shows on x-rays or exams — schedule an evaluation. Subtle problems can worsen over time if left unchecked.